120 
Keport of the Horticulturist of the 
THE GARDEN BEET. 
Synopsis of Classification. 
1. Eoot oblate or top-shaped: 
A. Root red. Nos. 1-6 incl. 
B. Root yellow. No. 7. 
2. Root oval: 
A. Root red. Nos. 8-9. 
B. Root yellow. No. 10. 
3. Root half long: 
A. Root red. Nos. 11-13 incl. 
B. Root yellow. No. 14. 
4. Root long conical: 
A. Root red. Nos. 15-20 incl. 
B. Root yellow. No. 21. 
C. Root black or blackish. Nos. 22-23. 
Description of the Varieties. 
1. Root oblate or top-shaped. 
A. Root red. 
No. 1. BASSANO, Brill; Burr. 
Syn. Early Flat Bassano, Burr; VEG. GAR.: Turnip-rooted Bas- 
sano, Burr: Early Bassano, Sib., '83: Early Flat Bassano, Hen., '87: 
Thor., '85, '87 : Fr., Betterave rouge de Bassano, (d) Vil. : Ger., Plattrunde 
Bassano Salat-Riibe, Vil. : Plattrunde Bassano Runkle riibe, A. de CI. 
Root resembles in form the Egyptian beet, but is somewhat larger 
in size, grows deeper in the soil, has a larger tap-root, more rootlets, 
and more abundant foliage; well developed samples 5 or 6 in. in 
diameter, 3 to 3 J in. through the axis; like the Egyptian, the roots 
become irregular when full grown; surface generally smooth; skin 
grayish or russet above ground, clear rose red below; neck sometimes 
small and surrounded with a circle of scales, at others undefined, the 
entire crown being covered with small tufts of leaves; — foliage abund- 
ant, rather lively green, half erect; petioles rather short, washed with 
red; — flesh zoned with white and rose, sweet, tender and well flavored 
while young, becoming rather coarse and fibrous when full grown; — 
season medium. 
A very productive variety of Italian origin; formerly the most pop- 
ular early beet, but now largely superseded by the Egyptian and 
Eclipse. 
Correctly figured in Les pi. pot., p. 40; Veg. Gar., p. 82. 
